The Miller County Board of Education recognizes the value of regular attendance in enabling pupils to profit from the school program. Not only is each day's lesson important to the individual student, but his/her presence as class participant contributes to the education of others.

In accordance with state law, all children between the ages of 6 and 16 are expected to be in regular attendance in some bona fide school unless their mental and physical condition justifies their being excused. Children enrolled in the public schools prior to their sixth birthday are subject to this law and the rules of the State Board of Education governing compulsory attendance, even though they have not attained six years of age. The Truancy Officer shall verify the enrollment of students attending private schools and be informed by principals, using methods designated by the Superintendent, of those enrolled in the system's schools. The Truancy Officer shall also investigate all cases of failure to enroll or habitual absence by children of school age who are residents of Miller County, and shall recommend appropriate action in accordance with state laws and State Board policies governing attendance.

GEORGIA COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW

State of Georgia: Georgia Code: 20-2-690.1.

(a)Mandatory attendance in a public school, private school, or home school program shall be required for children between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays. Such mandatory attendance shall not be required where the child has successfully completed all requirements for a high school diploma.

Miller County Board of Education

J.C. “Buddy” Johnson, III, Chairman · Rick Little, Vice-Chairman

Leroy Bush · Billy Roland · Vic Fleet

(b)Every parent, guardian, or other person residing within this state having control or charge of any child or children during the ages of mandatory attendance as required in subsection (a) of this Code section shall enroll and send such child or children to a public school, a private school, or a home study program that meets the requirements for a public school, a private school, or a home study program; and such child shall be responsible for enrolling in and attending a public school, a private school, or a home study program that meets the requirements for a public school, a private school, or a home study program under such penalty for noncompliance with this subsection as is provided in Chapter 11 of Title 15, unless the child's failure to enroll and attend is caused by the child's parent, guardian, or other person, in which case the parent, guardian, or other person alone shall be responsible; provided, however, that tests and physical exams for military service and the National Guard and such other approved absences shall be excused absences. The requirements of this subsection shall apply to a child during the ages of mandatory attendance as required in subsection (a) of this Code section who has been assigned by a local board of education or its delegate to attend an alternative public school program established by that local board of education, including an alternative public school program provided for in Code Section 20-2-154.1, regardless of whether such child has been suspended or expelled from another public school program by that local board of education or its delegate, and to the parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of such child. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require a local board of education or its delegate to assign a child to attend an alternative public school program rather than suspending or expelling the child.

(c) Any parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of a child or children and who shall violate this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of such penalties, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction. Each day's absence from school in violation of this part after the child's school system notifies the parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence for a child shall constitute a separate offense. After two reasonable attempts to notify the parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence without response, the school system shall send a notice to such parent, guardian, or other person by certified mail, return receipt requested. Public schools shall provide to the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of each child enrolled in public school a written summary of possible consequences and penalties for failing to comply with compulsory attendance under this Code section for children and their parents, guardians, or other persons having control or charge of children. The parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child or children shall sign a statement indicating receipt of such written statement of possible consequences and penalties; children who are age ten years or older by September 1 shall sign a statement indicating receipt of such written statement of possible consequences and penalties. After two reasonable attempts by the school to secure such signature or signatures, the school shall be considered to be in compliance with this subsection if it sends a copy of the statement, via certified mail, return receipt requested, to such parent, guardian, other person who has control or charge of a child, or children. Public schools shall retain signed copies of statements through the end of the school year.

(d)Local school superintendents in the case of private schools or home study programs and visiting teachers and attendance officers in the case of public schools shall have authority and it shall be their duty to file proceedings in court to enforce this subpart.

(e)An unemancipated minor who is older than the age of mandatory attendance as required in subsection (a) of this Code section who has not completed all requirements for a high school diploma who wishes to withdraw from school shall have the written permission of his or her parent or legal guardian prior to withdrawing. Prior to accepting such permission, the school principal or designee shall convene a conference with the child and parent or legal guardian within two school days of receiving notice of the intent of the child to withdraw from school. The principal or designee shall make a reasonable attempt to share with the student and parent or guardian the educational options available, including the opportunity to pursue a general educational development (GED) diploma and the consequences of not having earned a high school diploma, including lower lifetime earnings, fewer jobs for which the student will be qualified, and the inability to avail oneself of higher educational opportunities. Every local board of education shall adopt a policy on the process of voluntary withdrawal of unemancipated minors who are older than the mandatory attendance age. The policy shall be filed with the Department of Education no later than January 1, 2007. The Department of Education shall provide annually to all local school superintendents model forms for the parent or guardian signature requirement contained in this subsection and updated information from reliable sources relating to the consequences of withdrawing from school without completing all requirements for a high school diploma. Such form shall include information relating to the opportunity to pursue a general educational development (GED) diploma and the consequences of not having earned a high school diploma, including lower lifetime earnings, fewer jobs for which the student will be qualified, and the inability to avail oneself of higher educational opportunities. Each local school superintendent shall provide such forms and information to all of its principals of schools serving grades six through twelve for the principals to use during the required conference with the child and parent or legal guardian

Rules Governing All Students:

1. Students who are absent may be temporarily excused from school when:

a. Personally ill and when attendance in school would endanger their health and the health of others.

b. A serious illness or death in their immediate family necessitates absence from school.

c. Mandated by order of governmental agencies, including pre-induction physical examinations for service in the armed forces, or by a court order.

d. Celebrating religious holidays observed by their faith.

e. Conditions render attendance impossible or hazardous to their health or safety.

f. Registering to vote or voting, for a period not to exceed one day.

g. Absences are deemed educational in nature by the building level administrator.

h. A student whose parent or legal guardian is in military service in the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard, and such parent or legal guardian has been called to duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, shall be granted excused absences, up to a maximum of five school days per school year, for the day or days missed from school to visit with his or her parent or legal guardian prior to such parent’s or legal guardian’s deployment or during such parent’s or legal guardian’s leave.

2. Students are to be counted present for homeroom record keeping purposes when:

a. They are in attendance at least one-half of the instructional day. (K-8 only. High School must present ½ of the period to be counted present. Athletes must be at school ½ of the school day in order to participate in a scheduled game on the day of the game)

b. They are serving as pages of the Georgia General Assembly.

c. They are attending activities under sponsorship of the school.

d. They are foster care students who are attending court proceedings relating to their foster care.

3. A pupil, on returning to school after an absence, must give to the school a written excuse from the parent/guardian/ doctor stating the reason for the pupil's absence. Failure to bring in an excuse within two days after returning to school shall constitute an unexcused absence.

4. A student who has an absence is permitted to make up work that has been assigned while the student was absent with no penalty attached. On the day that the student returns after an absence, the student must make arrangements for making up the work. The student must make up the work within the number of days that he/she was absent with a three day minimum. This does not apply to assignments that had been pre-assigned. The teacher, with administrative approval, may allow extra time to complete make-up work if extenuating circumstances exist. If the student fails to make up the work consequences developed by the grade/school configuration will be imposed.

5. Students placed in in-school suspension programs are considered in attendance at school; students otherwise suspended from school will receive an unexcused absence.

6. When extended absenteeism is a result of major illness or injury or other extenuating circumstances, the student may receive academic credit through the use of the homebound services.

7. When there is cause necessitating an individual student to be excused from school for a portion of the school day, the student shall be released from school only to parent/legal guardian or upon written request from parent/legal guardian. No student shall leave the school campus at any time between arrival at school and the time of dismissal from school without written parental consent. The student/parent must sign out in the office before departing the school campus. Absences without permission will be subject to disciplinary action. This applies to any student who leaves during the school day without permission.

8. Students who become ill at school shall see the school nurse or designee. The nurse or designee shall notify a parent or guardian of the illness. Students will be required to bring a written excuse from their parents or guardian on the first day back at school.

9. A student who is tardy should present a note from his/her parent(s)/legal guardian(s) explaining the reason. The school will verify the excuse. Unexcused tardies will be subject to grade level/school sanctions.

10. An administrative review of all cases involving excessive absences will be conducted by the school administrative staff. Following this review, students may appeal hardship cases to the School Level Attendance Committee. Note: Cases involving unexcused absences are not considered hardship cases.

11. The Attendance Committee will be set up by the principal or designee. It will consist of the Truancy Officer, counselor, administrator, and involved teachers.

12. The student or parent/guardian has the right to appeal any decision of the Attendance Committee to the Superintendent or designee. Said appeal must be filed within ten (10) working days after rendering of the decision by the Attendance Committee.

13. A written notice of possible course failure will be sent by first class mail to the student and parent/guardian after fifteen (15) unexcused absences during the year for students in grades K-12. Failure to receive this written notice does not relieve the affected parties from complying with this policy.

14. Miller County Schools shall not release students to individuals other than custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) without written permission from the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s). It is the responsibility of the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) to notify the school when their child will be picked up by anyone other than those filed in the child's record.

15. The Miller County School System will comply with the requirements contained in Code Section 40-5-22, as amended by Senate Bill 100. 40-5-22 (TAADRA) states that a minor’s instruction permit or driver’s license is suspended subject to review when such minor:

Senate Bill 100 SECTION 4-8:

Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-5-22, relating to persons not to be licensed and school attendance requirements, by revising subsections (a.1) and (c) and by adding anew subsection to read as follows:

(1) The department shall not issue an instruction permit or driver's license to a person who is younger than 18 years of age unless at the time such minor submits an application for an instruction permit or driver's license the applicant presents acceptable proof that he or she has received a high school diploma, a general educational development (GED) diploma, a special diploma, or a certificate of high school completion or has terminated his or her secondary education and is enrolled in a postsecondary school, is pursuing a general educational development (GED) diploma, or the records of the department indicate that said applicant:

(A) Is enrolled in and not under expulsion from a public or private school

(B) Is enrolled in a home education program that satisfies the reporting requirements of all state laws governing such program

The department shall notify such minor of his or her ineligibility for an instruction permit or driver's license at the time of such application.

(2) The State Board of Education and the commissioner of driver services are authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(3) The Technical College System of Georgia shall be responsible for compliance and oncompliance data for students pursuing a general educational development (GED) diploma.

Absences and Consequence: Ages under 16

Five (5) unexcused absences

A letter from the school will be sent notifying the parent (s)/guardian (s) of the absences.

Eight (8) unexcused absences

1. A referral to the Truancy Officer will be made for a possible phone call or home visit.

2. A letter will be mailed to the parent(s)/guardian (s) of all students who have 8 unexcused absences, requesting a meeting with the school level attendance committee.

3. Parent (s)/guardian (s) and student will be asked to enter into an attendance contract or agreement with the school at this time.

Ten (10) unexcused absences

1. Ten unexcused absences could be referred to either Juvenile Justice or State Court if the parents have failed to comply with the requested meeting at the school level.

Absences and Consequence: Ages under 16

Five (5) unexcused absences

A letter from the school will be sent notifying the parent (s)/guardian (s) of the absences.

Eight (8) unexcused absences

1. A referral to the Truancy Officer will be made for a possible phone call or home visit.

2. A letter will be mailed to the parent(s)/guardian (s) of all students who have 8 unexcused absences, requesting a meeting with the school level attendance committee.

3. Parent (s)/guardian (s) and student will be asked to enter into an attendance contract or agreement with the school at this time.

Ten (10) unexcused absences

1. Ten unexcused absences could be referred to either Juvenile Justice or State Court if the parents have failed to comply with the requested meeting at the school level.

Absences and Consequence: Ages 16 and Over

Four (4) unexcused absences

A student could lose his/her on campus parking permit.

A reinstatement fee of $20.00 will be required for the parking permit to be reissued once the permit has been revoked.

Five (5) unexcused absences

A letter from the school will be sent notifying the parent (s)/guardian (s) of the absences.

Eight (8) unexcused absences

1. A letter will be mailed to the parent(s)/guardian (s) of all students who have 8 unexcused absences, requesting a meeting with the school level attendance committee.

2. Continuing to park on the Miller County School Property once the permit is pulled or after notice to purchase a permit has been given will result in the following consequences or failure to have a valid HS Parking permit will result in the following:

1st Offense: $25.00 Ticket

2nd Offense: $35.00 Ticket

3rd Offense: Tire Boot Placement on Vehicle Parked Illegally

Meeting with Student

Parent called by School Administration

$50.00 to remove Tire Boot

Miller County School Resource Officer will only tire boot a vehicle two times during a school year. After the second time, the car will be towed at the owner’s expense and parking privileges will be suspended for the remainder of that school year.

A reinstatement fee of $20.00 will be required for the parking permit to be reissued once the permit has been revoked.

Ten (10) unexcused absences

1. A letter will be mailed to the parent(s)/guardian (s) of all students who have ten absences, unexcused requesting a meeting with the school level attendance committee.

Fifteen (15) unexcused absences

1. Students who miss more than 15 unexcused days during the school year shall be notified in writing of the possibility of loss of credit or grade retention. A copy of the appeals process shall be attached to the notice.

Documentation for Absences

A student, on returning to school after an absence, must present a written and signed excuse to their homeroom from the parent or guardian / doctor stating the reason for the student's absence. Failure to furnish this excuse within two (2) days after returning to school will constitute an unexcused absence. These excuses will be field as documentation for absences should an appeal meeting become necessary. This policy will be strictly adhered to by the Attendance Appeals Committee.

Tardies: Grades K-8

Students are expected to be on time for school. Instructional time is very important and begins each day at 7:55. Excessive tardies will require a meeting with the school level attendance committee.

Tardies: Grades 9-12

Tardies and early dismissal will be calculated for each class. A student who misses more than fifteen (15) minutes of a class period (excluding administrative and/or guidance mandates), either through leaving a class early or tardy to class will be counted absent for that period.